Apparatus for painting fence-pickets by dipping



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. THOMAS. I A APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FENCE PIGKETS BY DIPPING. 110.284.68 1. Patented Sept. 11, 1883.

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(No Modl.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A W. THOMAS. APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FENCE PIGKETS BY DIPPING.

No. 284,684. Patented Sept. 11, 1883.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILBER THOMAS, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FENCE-PICKETS BY DIPPING,

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 284,684, dated September 11, 1883.

Application filed April 19, 1883.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBER THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Painting Fence-Pickets by Dipping, and for Drying the Same, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the ac companying drawings.

This invention relates to apparatus for painting fence-pickets, palings, 850., and for drying the same, and has for its object to provide a simple apparatus possessing superior efficiency in preventing the formation of fat edges or drops of paint at the edges of the pickets after they have been dipped, the said apparatusbeing provided with adjustable parts by which the drying of the pickets can be effected with superior convenience and facility, according to the character and size of work, whether for ornamental fencing or for farm use.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved apparatus arranged in position for use. Fig. 2 isan end View of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the removable platform on which the pickets Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of one of the removal top strips against which the pickets are supported in drying. Fig. 5 is a detail side view illustrating one of the pickets in position for drying, and supported by the said bottom and top strip. Fig. 6

is a detail perspective view of a modified form of removable drying-platform. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of top support. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective View, showing the position of the picket on this modified form of platform and support. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective "View illustrating a11- other form of top support. Fig. 10 is a detail end view of the paint-vat. I

Referring to the drawings, A designates a vat or receptacle for containing the paint, which is mounted upon a truck, or on suitably-disposed rollers 13, so as to be readily transportable from one end of the hereinafter-described drying-frame to the other; The vat A is provided with sockets O 0 near its top, at each side, that are adapted to receive projecting arms D D on the lower end of a removable i11- clined drip board or platform, E, which is at that side can then be filled.

(No' model.)

thus secured to the vat at a steep incline, so that the surplus paint will readily flow back into the former. This drip-board can be adj usted at either side of the vat, so that one vat can be made to serve in relation to two drying-frames by being moved down an aisle between the latter, and after the frame at one side is filled the drip-board can be adjusted on the other side of the vat, so that the frame This board or platform E is provided with strips F F near its ends, from which project pins G. In prac 'tice the pickets are first dipped in the paint in the vat, and are then laid horizontally and on edge 011 the strips F F, which prevent the pickets from coming in contact with the platform E by holding them elevated above the "same, and the pins G serve to retain the pick ets in position from sliding back into the vat.

H is the drying-frame, which can be of any suitable construction, and preferably comprises the uprights II, to which are secured cross-pieces J J, and the longitudinal rails K K at the bottom] The top strips, J J, are provided with sockets L L, the purpose of which will be presently described.

M is a removable platform, which is arranged and supported on the rails K K in a forwardly-inclined position, and is preferably perforated, as shown at N, to allow the surplus paint to flow through onto the inclined bottom 0 under the said platform, instead of flowing entirely down the latter before it passes onto the said bottom 0. This platform M is provided with as many projecting pins 1? as its capacity in pickets, and the bottom end of the latter rest on these points, as shown, whereby the picket is entirely freed from contact with the platform, and surplus paint will not 0 accumulate on the platform, as the perforations N are preferably formed just in front of the pins.

Q designates strips that 'are arranged in the sockets L L, and are provided with pins R, projecting from their edge, against which the top end of the picket rests when the latter is in the drying-frame. The picket is thus only in contact with the points at its-top and bottom, and the surplus paint is enabled to flow off without being obstructed in any manner. The work will be of a superior finish when the drying is effected by meansof this improved plat; form and supporting-strip; but precision is required in placing the pickets in position.

When it is desired to secure the painting in a rapid manner, and a fine finish is not requisite, as in farm-fencing, the bottom M can be readily removed and a platform, S, placed in position in lieu thereof. This platform Sis provided withproj ecting points, that are formed by parallel strips T, that are brought to a point, and are provided in their pointed edge with recesses or notches U, in which the bottom end of the picket can be qnicklydropped. The strips T form channels V, down which the surplus paint will quickly flow, and these channels V can be perforated, if desired. In connection with this bottom S, a wire top screen, \V, is placed in position 011 the strips J J, in lieu of the strips Q. The meshes of the screen correspond to the notches U below, and the top end of the picket canbe very quickly thrust up in the meshes of the screen and its bottom end dropped into the notch beneath. By this means the picket is securely retained against displacement, and can be very quickly placed in position. Economy in space is also secured by this form, as the distance between the pickets need be only the thickness of the wire of the top screen.

In irregular-sized pickets the strips Q are to be substituted by a simple alternately-curved spring, X, that is secured to one of the cross pieces J J, and is stretched across to the other strip, J, where its end Y is secured to ahook, Z. By reason of the elasticity of this wire support, its curves can be widened by simply stretching the spring against its tension, or they can be contracted by releasing the tension. Thus the curves can be regulated to suit varying sizes and widths of pickets in a moment s time.

The advantages of this improved apparatus are obvious. Its parts can be quickly and readily adjusted in position to effect either fine and finished work, a rapid and cheaper class of work, or to suit varying sizes. The whole forms an apparatus possessing superior advantages and convenience in its operation and use.

It will be understood that my present invention is designed as an improvement over the apparatus illustrated in my former patent, No. 268,148, of November 28, 1882. In this patent the construction of the frame of the apparatus is substantially the same as herein shown, and the former apparatus was used in connection with the dipping-vat, and comprised platforms and supports for the ends of the pickets. My present invention consists in certain improvements in these platforms andsupports for the pickets while the latter are drying, whereby this is effected in amore rapid and efiicient manner.

I claim as my invention,

1. As an improvement in apparatus for painting fence-pickets by dipping, the combination, with a drying-frame arranged to receive the pickets after they have been dipped, of a vat mounted upon trucks or rollers, so that it can be transported from one end of the drying-frame to the other, and provided with a removable drip-platform, on which the pickets are to be placed immediately after they are removed from the vat, the said platform being adapted to be attached at either side of the vat, as and for the purpose set forth.

2.- As an improvement in apparatus for painting fence-pickets by dipping, the combination, with the paint-vat having sockets at its sides,near the top, of a drip-platform provided with'arms or projections which are received into these sockets, so that the drip-platform is supported at the side of the vat andinclined toward the same, as set forth.

3. As an improvement in apparatus for painting fence-pickets by dipping, the combination, with a supporting-frame, of a platform for supporting the picketsfhaving its surface provided with upwardly-projecting pins or points, on which the bottom end of the picket is adapted to rest, so as to be supported out of contact with and above the platform, and provided with the perforations adjacent to the said pins, through which the drippings and surplus paint which runs off the pickets at their lower ends can escape, as set forth.

4:. As an improvement in apparatus for painting fence-pickets by dipping, the combina tion, with a suitable frame having a supporting-platform having upward projections, on which the bottom end of the picket is arranged to rest, of a top support formed of strands of wire that inclose the picket and hold its top end from displacement, as set forth.

5. An improved apparatus for painting fencepickets by dipping, comprising a platform for supporting the lower end of the picket, and top supporting-strips, the said platform and strips being provided with pins or points proj ecting from their surface, so that the pickets will be entirely supported on the said project, ing points, and will not be in contact with either the platform orstrips,whereby' the surplus paint has an uninterrupted flow down onto the platform, above which the bottom end of the picket is supported, as set forth.

6. As an improvement in apparatus for paint- I ing fence-pickets by dipping, the combinanation, with a supporting-frame, of a wire strand for supporting the top end of the picket, said strand being strung across the frame and arranged to receive the end of the picket 

